Know Before You Go

Know Before You Go (KBYG) is a free avalanche awareness program. Not much science, no warnings to stay out of the mountains, no formulas to memorize. In about an hour, you will see the destructive power of avalanches, understand when and why they happen, and how you can have fun in the mountains and avoid avalanches.

[powslayer]

A big thing for me is there is no such word as safe in the backcountry unless you stay home on your couch. When you start using the word safe you are setting yourself up for failure. You can take all the precautions available but you still don't know. Safer, yes. Safe, no such word in the backcountry. Don't get me wrong, this is a great video. However, it is like forecasting the weather. Forecasters get it wrong all the time. My Approach is anything that can slide treat it as if it's going to. I don't care what your pit says, be prepared for a slide. A prerequisite to skiing and snowboarding Backcountry is you should be very competent on your skis or snowboard . Always have a plan, always know your Escape and stay close to it and rehearse it in your head many times before you actually drop in. Also, speed is your friend. Snow slides do not lollygag therefore don't lollygag in the zone. Get her done and get out of the way.